Astros newcomer Carter swinging for the fences

The potential for power production drew the Astros to Chris Carter, who hit 16 home runs in 67 games for the A's last year.

The potential for power production drew the Astros to Chris Carter, who hit 16 home runs in 67 games for the A's last year.

Photo: Karen Warren, Staff

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Recently acquired first baseman Chris Carter, left, gets some words of wisdom from special instructor Roger Clemens on Monday.

Recently acquired first baseman Chris Carter, left, gets some words of wisdom from special instructor Roger Clemens on Monday.

Photo: Karen Warren, Staff

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The Astros could use Chris Carter at first base, in left field or as a DH.

The Astros could use Chris Carter at first base, in left field or as a DH.

Photo: Karen Warren, Staff

Astros newcomer Carter swinging for the fences

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KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Chris Carter lightly waves a long black bat. His hands are loose; his gloves engulf the handle. Just before the ball arrives, Carter allows the stick to briefly touch his thick right shoulder. Then he cranks.

It's a swift, smooth, strong stroke. Pure speed, all power, few holes. The ball immediately skies upward, racing over red dirt and bright green spring training grass, finally landing in deep left-center field. A center-field bomb and left-center rocket follow. Then comes one of the deepest home runs hit by an Astro since spring training began last week at Osceola County Stadium.

Another Astro says he "heard it." A third claims he saw a windshield smashed.

Pena looks hard at Carter, eyes the rest of his laughing teammates, then reminds everyone he has insurance.

Carter's walking off the field before Pena reveals the secret. Carter didn't smash his windshield.

But Pena knows the quiet, unique 26-year-old who unleashed 19 homers and drove in 46 runs in just 218 at-bats last season for Oakland has the potential to be the most powerful hitter in an Astros uniform this year. And there's no better way to build up a young teammate finding his way on a new club than by telling him he just broke glass.

"I love his makeup. … He stands at 6-4 and with very imposing stature," Pena said.

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Pena, who has hit 277 homers in 12 seasons for six teams, has made Carter his new project. The duo hits together during batting-practice sessions and often is seen walking along the field as one, with Carter trailing and Pena teaching.

Carter's development is crucial to the rebuilding Astros. The club moves this season to the American League West, where run production is paramount, and with its roster full of little-known players must somehow find a way to keep up with the Los Angeles Angels' triumvirate of Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton and Mike Trout, all while fighting off aces such as Seattle's Felix Hernandez.

"I've always had the power," said Carter, who was acquired by the Astros in the Feb. 4 trade that sent Jed Lowrie to Oakland. "I'm just working on it and refining it and trying to be more consistent with it."

Growth spurt

Carter has the makings of a giant, even though baseball initially was a "random thing" for him. He was as an ordinary 6-1, 180-pound shortstop until his sophomore year of high school, then switched to third. Even during his first pro year in 2005 with the Chicago White Sox's rookie-league affiliate in Bristol, Tenn., the 15th-round pick slid between third, short and first.

Then Carter expanded. Undergoing a massive growth spurt between the ages of 18 and 20, he added muscle, mass and bone structure.

In 2008, Carter totaled 39 home runs and 104 RBIs at high-Class A Stockton. By the end of 2012, the man the Astros desperately need to launch balls into Minute Maid Park's Crawford Boxes had recorded 182 homers, 639 RBIs and a solid .283 batting average during eight minor league seasons.

Short stroke a big asset

"When you have a short swing and you're physical, you have the ability to wait and recognize pitches longer," Astros hitting coach John Mallee said. "And there's not many places in the zone you can get him out."

Carter is still adjusting to his new world, and there are reasons he's never stuck in the big leagues - topped off by a career .214 batting average in 106 games. But the Astros are giving him his chance, and he can grow as much as he wants in 2013. And smash a few windshields while he rises.

"I'm just happy to have this opportunity here," Carter said, "to finally maybe get to play every day and get those at-bats."